Holder device



June 27, 1967 J. PEARSON 3,327,415

HOLDER DEVICE Filed Sept. 16, 1965 INVENTOR. Z9 JACK PEARSON BY W United States Patent 3,327,415 HOLDER DEVICE Jack Pearson, Kenmore, N.Y., assignor to Sperry Rand Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 16, 1965, Ser. No. 487,822 1 Claim. (Cl. 40--10) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A label holder having a pair of complementary vertical plate members, first portions of each plate member adapted for attachment to a support member such as 21 Vertical upright of a storage unit, and second portions of each plate member have label holding means provided thereon which extend outwardly from the first portions and are bent on fold lines into converging paths one with the other. Clamp means are provided on the end of each second portion for detachable connection with the end of the other plate member to interconnect the plate members.

Shelf storage equipment such as library bookstacks, shelf filing units or similar storage units wherein a plurality of similar units are arranged in rows to provide a general storage area are well known. Aisles are provided at the ends of each row or range of units and between adjacent rows of units to permit ready access to the contents of the unit. In order that a person may be readily apprised of the nature of the contents of each unit, holder devices are attached to the end unit of each row and which holder device contain labels identifying the contents.

These holder devices project outwardly from the unit into the aisle for ready visibility. It has been found that if devices of this type are made to a configuration which is triangular shaped in cross section with the identifying labels mounted on the opposite outer faces of the holder, the labels are more effectively presented to a person as he proceeds down an aisle.

Problems, however, have arisen in providing an economical holder of this desired configuration in that relatively complex forming of parts is required. In addition, the holder must have means for readily attaching or detaching the holder from the unit without materially increasing the cost thereof to the user.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel label holder device for a shelf storage unit.

Another object is to provide a novel label holder device for a shelving unit and which holder device is comprised of complementary interengaging sections which are readily assembled and attached to the shelving unit.

A still further object is to provide a novel holder device of triangular configuration which is readily adapted to rapid and automatic forming procedures and presents a savings in manufacturing costs both in labor and material.

The present invention contemplates a novel label holder device for a shelf storage unit. According to this invention, the holder device comprises a pair of complementary vertical plate members. First portions of each plate member are adapted for attachment to a support member such as a vertical upright of the storage unit. Second portions of each plate member have label holding means provided thereon. The latter portions extend outwardly from the first portions and are bent on fold lines into converging paths one with the other. Clamp means are provided on the end of each second portion for detachable connection with the end of the other plate member to interconnect the plate members and provide a label holder having a triangular shape in horizontal cross section.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows taken together with the accompanying drawing wherein one embodiment is illustrated.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of a shelf storage unit and shows a holder device constructed according to the present invention mounted there- FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the holder device of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the holder device; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the parts of one plate portion of the holder device.

Referring now to the drawing for a more detailed description of the present invention, a novel holder device made according thereto is generally indicated by the reference numeral 19 in FIGS. 1 to 3. A fragmentary por tion of a shelf storage unit to which holder device 10 is attached is generally indicated by the reference numeral 11 in FIG. 1. Shelf storage unit 11 is of any well known type construction and is provided with shelves 12 suspended from spaced upright members 13 (only one shown in FIG. 1) and upon which shelves 12 file folders, books or other articles may be stored.

Holder device 10 (FIGS. 2 and 3) comprises two plate members 16 and 17 each formed from a blank of suitable metallic material such as aluminum. Plate members 16 and 17 are of identical construction, with plate member 17 being inverted (FIG. 2) with respect to plate member 16 for connection therewith in a manner to be hereinafter described. Each plate member 16-17 includes an inner end portion 18 having a flange 19 secured to the surface of upright member 13 of shelf storage unit 11 by any suitable means such as by screws 21. Outer end portions 23 of each plate 1617 extend outwardly from inner end portions 18 and are each bent inwardly along a fold line 24 into converging paths one with the other.

The upper outer end of outer portion 23 of plate 16 (FIGS. 2 and 4) is provided with a folded over clamp portion 25 adapted to embrace an upper straight edge portion 26 (FIG. 2) of outer portion 23 of plate 17. A similar clamp portion 28 formed on plate 17 embraces a lower straight edge portion 29 of plate 16 whereby the plates 1617 are detachably interconnected. In connected relationship, the connected edges of plates 16-17 form the apex of a triangle (FIGS. 2 and 3) with the outer end portions 23 providing the sides of the triangle,

An open frame member 30 is provided for each plate 16-17 and which frame members 3%) are secured to outer portions 23 of plates 16-17 by means of tabs 31 (FIG. 4) provided thereon which are inserted into apertures 32 provided in plates 16 and 17 and then folded back against the surface therof. The upper edges of frame 30 (FIG. 2) are spaced from the surfaces of plates 1617 whereby labels 34 identifying the contents of shelf storage unit 11 may be readily inserted therein.

In accordance with the described arrangement, holder device 10 is adapted for ready assembly and attachment to a support member such as upright 13. Straight edge portions 26-29 are first inserted into clamps 2528. Flanges 19 are then secured to upright member 13 by screws 21. Holder unit 10 is readily detached from upright 13 and disassembled by following a reverse procedure.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the novel holder device has many advantages in use. One advantage among others is that the holder device is readily assembled to provide a label holder device of triangular shaped cross section which is more readily mounted on a support member and readily detached therefrom, in accordance with the needs of the user. Due to the simplicity the parts of the holder device is adapted to automatic manufacturing procedures and does not require the complicated forming of parts.

Although one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and described in detail it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Various changes can be made in the design and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as the same will now be understood by those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

A label holder of the class described adapted for attachment to a support member, said label holder cmprising:

(a) a pair of vertical plate members of complementary configuration,

(b) inner end portions of each plate member having flange portions adapted for attachment to the support member, 7

(c) outer end portions of said plate members projecting outwardly from said inner end portions and bent therefrom in converging paths one with the other,

(d) frame means mounted on the outer surfaces of said outer end portions for receiving labels therein, and

(e) means on adjacent edges of said outer portions to detachably interconnect said plate members,

(if) said connected outer end portions being of triangular configuration in horizontal cross section with said connected edges thereof forming the apex of the triangle,

(g) said interconnecting means comprise a clamp portion on each of said outer end portions with each clamp adapted to embrace an edge portion of the other plate member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 660,487 8/1899 Conrad -23 1,156,396 10/1915 Denio 40-10 1,183,836 5/1916 Greene 40125 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

W. J. CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner. 

